Abstract
SummaryEfforts to identify anti-cancer therapeutics and understand tumor-immune interactions are built within vitromodels that do not match the microenvironmental characteristics of human tissues. Usingin vitromodels which mimic the physical properties of healthy or cancerous tissues and a physiologically relevant culture medium, we demonstrate that the chemical and physical properties of the microenvironment regulate the composition and topology of the glycocalyx. Remarkably, we find that cancer and age-related changes in the physical properties of the microenvironment are sufficient to adjust immune surveillance via the topology of the glycocalyx, a previously unknown phenomenon observable only with a physiologically relevant culture medium.Key PointsCulture medium dictates cellular mechanoresponse signatures in vitroEpithelial glycocalyx construction is mediated by Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1)Sialic acid topology dictates Natural Killer cell cytotoxicityPhysiological microenvironments reveal distinct glycobiology
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory